Compassion,
service, empathy, understanding...combine these words with privilege,
talent, skill, energy...and you have a composite
picture of the heart and soul of many volunteers. These elements tell
us much more than a head shot or group photo ever could.

Volunteers
come in every age, size, shape, and race. They're impossible to profile;
crossing boundaries of geographic location, income level, educational
attainment, philosophical mindset, and religious persuasion. Some
sort through e-mail databases to keep donors abreast of charitable
developments. Others provide their legal, financial, promotional,
management and training skills on a pro-bono basis. Still more change
sickbeds, lend an ear, hold anxious hands, and yes, ladle soup and
prepare sandwiches in "soup kitchens" across the country.

National
Volunteer Week celebrates a myriad of vastly different individuals
with two things in common: a concern for others and the tenacity to
turn their concern into proactive volunteerism. "Volunteers Inspire
by Example," is a fitting theme for this year's National Volunteer
Week, happening in April. Event organizers feel the theme, "reflects
the power volunteers have to inspire not only other people to volunteer
but also the people they serve."

National
Volunteer Week was created by President Richard Nixon's executive order in 1974. Three decades
of subsequent Presidents have continued the tradition of "celebrating
and recognizing the power and spirit volunteers give back to this
country."

White
House Photo by Eric Draper

President
George W. Bush's Council on Service and Civic Participation instituted
a new recognition award to coincide with National Volunteer
Week in 2004. The
award is intended to honor sustained commitments and significant achievements
by American volunteers. In addition, such national recognition is
expected to inspire others and encourage more individuals to assist
neighbors with urgent needs and those in dire circumstances.

The
President's Volunteer Service Award is available to kids, young adults,
adults and families/groups. Recipients of the award receive: An official
President's Volunteer Service Award pin; a personalized certificate
of achievement; a note of congratulations from the President of the
United States and a letter from the President's Council on Service
and Civic Participation.

Volunteering
is a year-round, twenty-four hour a day, seven days a week enterprise.
Every minute of every day, someone is volunteering their time, energy,
and talents to help others. One week a year, these
efforts are acknowledged and attempts are made to increase volunteer
commitments across the country.

Special
efforts are being taken to recognize and inspire young people toward
volunteer service this year. National Youth Service Days kick of the
week of activities on the weekend of April 23rd. This campaign
is being spearheaded by Youth Service America. It is being billed
as the "largest national day of service focusing on youth volunteering."

On
the opposite end of the spectrum, The National Association of Area
Agencies on Aging will hold their 2004 MetLife Foundation Older Volunteers
Enrich America Awards this April. A fairly recent addition to National
Volunteer Week, the program celebrates its second year of support.
They say, "The goal of this awards program is twofold: to acknowledge
exemplary older volunteers and to encourage older Americans to contribute
their knowledge, skills and time to enrich society through volunteerism."

During
National Volunteer Week, every year, USA Weekend announces the winners
of its "Make A Difference Day" competitive awards. These
awards are sponsored by Paul Newman, a noted actor, director, and
active philanthropist. The awards are bestowed on the ten most outstanding
service projects. USA Today also devotes their entire Sunday issue,
during National Volunteer Week, to volunteering.

According
to the Points of Light Institute & Volunteer Center National
Network: "During National Volunteer Week, organizations such
as volunteer centers, nonprofits, businesses, government agencies,
military units, hospitals, communities of faith, and schools host
awards ceremonies recognizing millions of our nation's volunteers
for their outstanding contributions to their communities over the
past year." Additionally, "Thousands of volunteers participate
in local community service projects
(during National Volunteer Week)."

Last
year's National Volunteer Week included an estimated 2,400 events
nationwide. Almost 500,000 volunteers participated in recognition
ceremonies and community service projects. Media participation is
key to promoting volunteerism during this week of critical visibility.
The Points of Light Institute coordinated media efforts and worked
with sponsor, AT & T during 2003's various events.

They
estimate, "Over 1,600 journalists at over 700 media outlets targeted
115 outlets in the AT & T market areas. The media outreach resulted
in over 300 mentions in outlets across the country reaching an audience
well over 15 million people." National Volunteer Week Toolkits
are available to assist organizations participating in this year's
events. These Toolkits contain media forms and promotional materials
to assist organizations nationwide.

During
this year's National Volunteer Week, take the opportunity to acknowledge
individuals who generally toil in obscurity. Most volunteers don't
advertise their humanitarian efforts. It's a wonderful thing that
our nation observes, honors and congratulates their efforts on an
annual basis.

It takes
a unified effort to help raise the national common denominator through
compassion and service. Look around for people you know that actively
sacrifice their time and talent in the service of others. Take this
opportunity to thank them; and most important of all, learn from
their example. Follow the lead of a volunteer and volunteer.